BNP’s demand to reconstruct EC ‘impractical’, says Tofail

Terming it 'impractical', Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Sunday turned down BNP's demand of reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC) with neutral individuals before the next general election.

On Saturday, BNP demanded reconstitution of the Election Commission (EC) with neutral people before the announcement of the schedule for the next general election.

"BNP has objection to every affair. In fact, BNP leaders always hold a negative attitude. Their demand for reconstitution of the EC is impractical," he said.

Tofail came up with the remarks while talking to reporters after inaugurating "Showcase Canada 2018" trade and education fair at the international convention city Bashundhara in Dhaka.

Canada and Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CanChamBangladesh) with support from the High Commission of Canada organised the event.

The minister said the current EC has already held some elections, including the City Corporation and by-polls and earned appreciation, reports UNB.

Mentioning that the commission was working with confidence, he said the current EC was formed based on the advice of a search committee where a commissioner was from the list provided by BNP.

The next general election must be held under the current EC, he further said.

Asked whether the next polls will be acceptable if BNP boycotts it, Tofail said, "It'll be acceptable like that of the 2014 one. It's who will be the loser, if it doesn't join the polls. BNP is now nowhere, neither in parliament nor on the streets for boycotting the 2014 polls. I think BNP won't repeat the mistake it committed in 2014.They'll join the next polls taking lesson from their previous mistakes."

About BNP leaders' claim that they will free their Chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail through a movement, Tofail said, "It's their undemocratic language. BNP leader will be affected by threatening to wage a movement for releasing Khaleda. She must be freed through court, or else, no one will be able to free her from jail."